Stasis Theory WHAT QUESTIONS TO ASK Questions to

Stasis Theory WHAT QUESTIONS TO ASK

Questions to ask �Facts: Does the issue actually exist, and if so, what are the facts of it? �Definition: What is the meaning or nature of the issue? �Cause/Effect: What caused the issue? What consequences may result from it? �Value/Quality: What is the quality of the issue? Was it just or unjust? �Policy: What is the policy or action that should take place because of the issue?

Global Warming EXAMPLE OF QUESTIONS TO ANSWER USING STASIS

Fact or Conjecture: Does it exist? Did it happen? �Is the Earth’s climate changing? If so, is it warming up, cooling down, or both? �How and when did these changes start? �Can they be slowed or stopped? Can they be hastened?

Definition: How can the act or event be defined? �Can these climate changes be defined as global warming or as something else? If so, how should we define global warming? �How does global warming fit into the other aspects of climate change? How does it fit into the natural climate changes that led to ice ages in the past? �What are the different parts of the process of climate change?

Cause and Effect �What causes these changes? Are they caused by human activity? Do they happen naturally? �What is happening as a result of these changes? Can these effects be caused by other sources?

Value/Quality: What is the character of the act? �Is climate change harmful? �Is it right to try to stop it? Is economic prosperity better than energy conservation? �Which is more important, the short-term health of the economy or the long-term stability of the climate?

Policy: What should we do? �Should we try to stop climate change? What will happen if we do nothing? �Should we act to reduce emissions of greenhouse gasses? �Should we try to conserve energy? �Should we switch to nuclear power? �Will any of these actions reduce global warming? �Will these actions create other problems?

NOW TRY IT ON YOUR OWN TOPIC!

Fact �Does it exists? Did something happen? �What are the facts? �Is there a problem/issue? �How did it begin and what are its causes? �What changed to create the problem/issue? �Can it be changed?

Definition �How can the act or event be defined? �What is the nature of the problem/issue? �What exactly is the problem/issue? �What kind of a problem/issue is it? �To what larger class of things or events does it belong? �What are its parts, and how are they related?

Cause and Effect �What is the cause of this issue? Where does it originate? �Could something else have been a factor in causing this issue? �What are the motives or values behind this issue? �What are the consequences if this issue goes unresolved? �Can these effects be stopped or changed?

Value/Quality �What is the nature of the issue? �Is it a good thing or a bad thing? �How serious is the problem/issue? �Whom might it affect (stakeholders)? �What audiences or groups have a vested interest in this issue? What are their values and beliefs? �What happens if we don't do anything? �What are the costs of solving the problem/issue?

Policy �What should we do? �Should action be taken? �Who should be involved in helping to solve the problem/address the issue? �What should be done about this problem? �What needs to happen to solve this problem/address this issue?